Insane Clown Posse Team With ACLU to Sue FBI and Justice Department in Defense of Juggalos

"It is wrong to designate the entire group of supporters as a criminal gang based on the acts of a few."

Insane Clown Posse have filed a lawsuit against the FBI and the U.S. Justice Department, insisting that the government's decision to classify their fan base—the infamous Juggalos—as an actual criminal gang is "unwarranted and unlawful", TheNew York Times reports.

Along with ICP rappers Joseph Bruce (Violent J) and Joseph Utsler (Shaggy 2 Dope), the plaintiffs in the suit include four Juggalos. The suit was filed in Michigan by the band's lawyers as well as lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan.

The suit argues that the U.S. government's categorization of Juggalos has led to harassment from authorities and has caused the group's fans "significant harm." This stems from a 2011 report from the FBI's National Gang Intelligence Center, which claimed the Juggalos, a "loosely organized hybrid gang," were "expanding into many U.S. communities."

“Among the supporters of almost any group—whether it be a band, sports team, university, political organization or religion—there will be some people who violate the law,” the lawsuit reads. “However, it is wrong to designate the entire group of supporters as a criminal gang based on the acts of a few. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happened here.” The suit also lists various injustices enacted against Juggalos—one was allegedly forbidden to join the Army unless he removed his Juggalo tattoos.

This morning, ICP's Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope held a press conference about the suit at Michigan ACLU headquarters in Detroit.